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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Larry's suggestion when Mother tells him they cannot fit the number of guests he has invited in their house?

2. Where does the Durrell family stay their first night on Corfu?

3. Why do the Durrell's want to leave the hotel as soon as possible?

4. What is the original intent of Gerald Durrell for this book?

5. What do the olive groves echo with?

Short Essay Questions

1. Gerald's original intent for his book was an account of the natural history on the island of Corfu. Why did that change?

2. How did Gerry and Mother's opinions regarding the pace for eating breakfast differ?

3. What bonding event do Gerry and Leslie share? Why do you think this is appealing to Gerry?

4. How does Gerry describe the weather in England during August?

5. How are the trapdoor spiders and Dr. Theodore Stephanides two significant finds for Gerry?

6. How does the Durrell family breakfast play out?

7. What was Larry's attitude upon reaching the island of Corfu?

8. Was Mother's request to be shown a villa with a bathroom unreasonable?

9. Why was Yani one of the people Gerry liked best?

10. Why was it important to Gerry's mother that he mention she was a widow?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Spiro had a belligerent side and a loveable one too. The taxi drivers and customs officials felt his wrath, while the Durrell family only received his love and kindness. Compare and contrast these too very different sides of Spiro.

Essay Topic 2

In Part II: Chapter 7, The Daffodil-Yellow Villa, Gerry watches two couples of swallows building nests and feeding their young. Compare and contrast the swallow's fathering behaviors to that of a human father.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the book, the Durrell family argues over much, but only once do they agree on something. What is it that they agree on, and what is the significance of this event to the family and the story?

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This section contains 729 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample